Trigger operated gas igniter



w. A. SPARKS TRIGGER OPERATED GAS IGNITER May 31, 1955 2 sheds-sheet 1 Filed Jan. 2, 17951 .4 M f m M May 31, 1955 w. A. sPARKs TRIGGER OPERATED GAS IGNITER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 2, 1951' United States Patent TRIGGER OPERATED GAS IGNrrER Warren A. Sparks, Long Beach, Calif., assigner-to John W. Henry, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application January 2, 1951, Serial No. 203,844 Claims. (Cl. 67-20.1)

This invention relates to an acetylene torch and more particularly to an improvement in acetylene torches of the automatic type wherein the gas air mixture is automatically ignited upon the actuation of a grip or trigger by striking an abrading wheel against a int.

It is accordingly one object vof this invention to provide such an improved automatic acetylene torch which is simple, durable and economical to manufacture.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a torch of the type described which is generally cylindrical in form.

It is another object of this invention to provide an acetylene torch of the class described which is quickly and easily assembled or disassembled for ease in manufacture or in cleaning or adjusting.

it is a further object of this invention to provide a torch of the class described embodying new and improved trigger mechanism.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an acetylene torch of the type described wherein provision is made for adjustment of a jet opening in the gas tube with respect to the air inlet openings whereby the ame may be adjusted from a hard, substantially 190% ehi* cient and very hot flame to a softer flame, as desired.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the annexed specication in which:

Figure l is a side elevation of a torch embodying the present invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged vertical elevation of the torch with parts broken away and partly in section.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the mechanism shown in Figure 2 the case being shown in section.

Figure 4 is a section taken along the line 4 4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 ure 2.

Figure 6 is a vertical section of the torch in operative position.

Figure 6A is a fragmentary view showing the position of the ratchet and pawl with respect to the wheel in the condition shown in Figure 6.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the torch includes a tubular case 10 which is provided on its lower side with a longitudinally extending slot 11 and at its upper front end is a much shorter longitudinally extending slot 12. The case 16 is open at both ends as at 13 and 14.

A separate trigger and valve mechanism is provided which is designed to be inserted through the end 14 which mechanism includes an end piece 15 having a reduced portion 16 adapted to be received within the end 14 of the case 10 and on which is mounted a pair of parallel longitudinally extending rods 17 and 18. The rods 17 and 18 are provided with enlarged portions 19 and 20 respectively at their rear ends and enlarged portions 21 and 22 respectively at their front ends. The front ends `of the rods 17 and 18 are tapped to receive cap screws is a section taken along the line 5-5 of Fig- 23 and 24 which mount a upon the rods 17 and 18.

The end piece 15 is provided with a central bore 26 which is threaded at 27 to receive the threaded end 28 of a plug 29. The plug 29 seats in the bore 26 as at 30 and is provided with a flange 31 adapted to seat against the inner end of the end piece 15, as clearly shown in Figure 6. The plug 29 is provided with a central bore or passage 32 enlarged at its inner end as at 33 and also at its outer end as at 34. A hollow nut 35 is provided having threads engaging the threaded end 28 of the plug 29, which nut 35 is provided with a reduced bore 36 and a tubular extension 37. The tubular extension 37 is provided with serrations or grooves 38 for receiving and retaining with the aid of a clamp 39 the conventional hose 40 which is connected by means not shown to a source of acetylene gas under pressure. The nut 35 is also provided with an O-ring 41 to seal the same against the end piece 15 and prevent the escape of gas. The end piece 15 has its reduced portion 16 flattened as at 42 and 43 and is also provided with a vertically extending centrally disposed rib 44. l

A plug 45 is provided seated within the enlarged portion 33 which plug 45 has a reduced end 46 to provide clearance from the inner walls of the enlarged portion 33. The plug 45 is provided with an Oring 47 for sealing against the inner walls of the enlarged portion 33 and also with a transversely extending passage or bore 4S communicating with a longitudinally extending bore 49. At its inner end, the plug 45 is provided with a seat adapted to receive an end of a tube 51. The plug 4S is provided with a flange 52. Afxed to the outer end of the plug 45 is a tube or shaft 53 which passes through the bore 32 and in the region of the enlarged portion 34 carries a collar 54 and a sealing ring 55. The sealing ring is adapted to seat against the shoulder formed by the enlarged portion 34, and the shaft 53 at its outer end receives a coil spring 56 which has one end thereof abutting the collar 54 and the other end abutting the shoulder formed by the reduced bore 36 of the nut 35.

The tube 51 at its inner end is seated in a bore 57 formed in a slide 58, which slide 58 is itself received within a bore 59 of a boss 60 formed upon the plate 25. An O-ring 61 is carried by the slide 58 for sealing the same to the interior of the boss 60. The plate 25 has a central passage 62 formed therein and at its forward end is provided with a central boss 63 having a passage 64 therein and also having a forwardly extending cylindrical member 65 adjacent which is provided a countersunk seat 66 for a purpose hereinafter described.

Mounted upon the rods 17 and 18 is a slide 17 having a bore 71 to permit the passage of the tube 5-1. The slide is cut away upon its lower side as at 72 to form a shoulder 73 for a purpose hereinafter described. Adjacent the slide 79, also mounted upon the rods 17-and 18, is a plate '74 having a lower edge 75. The slide 70 at one side thereof is notched as at 76 to receive an arm 77 which is pivotally mounted in the slot 76 by. means of the pin 78. The arm 77 is bent downwardly as at 79 and has teeth 80 formed thereon constituting a pawl. The arm 77 extends through a slot 81 formed in the upper edge of the plate 25. The arm 77 towards its outer end is tapped as at 32 and the slide 70 is similarly tapped as at S3 to receive a coil spring 84 resiliently biasing the generally circular plate 25 i arm 77 in a clockwise direction as shown in Figure 2.

A pivoted lever or trigger is provided which'is 'gen erally channel-shaped in form having side members 91 and 92 which are cut away to form shoulders 93. The side members 91 and 92 are pivotally mounted upon the rib 44 by means of a pin 94. The forward end of the trigger 9G is provided with an end wall 95 which is itself provided with forwardly extending members 96 acting as stops to prevent Vthe trigger 96 from swinging completely out of the slot l1. The trigger 9G has pivotally mounted between its side walls 91 and 92 by means of a pin 97 an arm 98. The arm 93 has mounted thereon an upstanding arrn 99 which is bifurcateo to form a bifurcated cam 13G, the two parts ot' which straddle the tube 51 and bear against the flange 52. The free end of the arm 93 is tapped to receive an adjusting screw 101 which is set by means of a nut 192. T he screw 161 thus adjusts the position-of the com 119iwith respect to the iiange and thus regulates the opening of the valve as heroinafter described.

Also pivot-ally mounted between the side walls 91 and 92 of the trigger 9G as by means of the pin 1%3 is a block 104. The block 1F34 is provided with a bore 135 adapted to receive the end of a rod 196. The rod has an enlarged flattened head 167 and on the rod abutting the head 197 at one end and the block lt at the other end is a coil spring 19S. A trip member 1&9 is provided pivoted at its lower end by a pin 11d to an arm 111. The trip member :9 is channel-shaped in cross section and the forward en-:l of the flattened head 197 is pivotcd between the two side arms as at 112.

The upper end ot the side walls of the trip member are beveled as at 113 and the ends thereof are adapted in one position to engage the shoulder I3 of the slide The upper end of the arrn 111 is also beveled as at 114 and this bevel when the trigger is relea ed engages the rear of plate as shown in Figure 2.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that all of the above-identified mechanisms are mounted as a unit and are separately removable from the case 1t). When the unit is inserted within the case 19, it is retained therein by a detent 115 which is mounted in a boss 116 formed on the rib d4 and resiliently biased upwardly by a coil spring 117 retained within the boss and a bore in the rib 4d. The case 1i) is provided with a hole 113 adapted to receive the detent 115 releasably retain the assemblies within the case. A coii spring 115i is mounted upon tiv rod 17 and a similar coil spring 12? is mounted upon the rod 13 between the enlarged portions, respectively numbered 19 and 2%, and the slide 7i).

Pihe torch is provided with a second removable unit hereinafter to be described. This unit comprises a block 13? generally rectangular in torio and having an end piece 131 which is circular in form and adapted to tit within the front opening of the t cular case itl. The block 13d is provided with a central bore 132 and a combustion tube 133 is mounted in a bore 134 in the end of the cir cular end piece if'yi. rihc rear ot the block 130 is tapped as at 135 to receive the male threads ot a connector 13o. The connector 136 is provided with a bore 137 cornrnunicating with the bore 132 and also with a re-entrnnt bore 13S which is adapted to receive neoprene sealing members 139 which seat against the seat 66 and seal the cylindrical member 65 therein. The block 13d is aiso provided with a transverse bore 14) communicating with the bore 132 and an antiflashback screen 141 is provided at each opening of the bore 140 through the side Walis of the block 136. The connector 136 by reason of its threaded connection with the threads 135 may be adjusted so as to move the same longitudinally of the blocl; 1.3i). The connector is provided with n iet opening 13611 and by this means this jet opening may be positioned as desired with respect to the transverse bore Mt). Such adjustment permits regulation of thc llame from a hard, substantially one hundred percent (100%) eiiicient anie to a softer iiarne as desired. Any movement or" the iet opening 136a from the optimum position will cause a softening of the arne.

Such movement of the connector 13d in the threads 135 does not break the seal between the neoprene members 139 and the seat 66 because of their inherent resiliency andbecause of the fact that the entire oloclt 13S is `free to move a certain distance under the force of the spring 17d hereinafter described.

The bloeit 139 is also provided with a vertical bore 142 and an eniarged opening ldicommunicoting with the passage 132. Mounted on one side of the block 130, as by means of a pin 11i-ft, is a ratchet wheel 145. Also mounted on the pin 144 is a serrated steel disc or wheel The disc 146 is located within the enlarged opening 143. A dint assembly, generally indicated by the number 15h is provided. This int assembly includes a post 151 which has a threaded portion 152 adapted to engage threads 153 formed within the vertical bore 142 and a reduced tubular portion 154 adapted to receive and support a llint 155. Also within the post 151 there is disposed a coil spring 156. fhe post 151 has an enlarged portion 157 adapted to be received within a bore 158 in a block E59. The block 159 is affixed in a seat 16) in the top of the bloclf; 13G and when the unit is assembled in the case 1d. lies within and substantially lills the slot 12. rhe upper end of the post 151 is tapped as at 161 to receive the threads of a hollow plug 162. vihe hollow plug is provided with a counter-bore 163 which receives the upper end of the coil spring 15o and adiusts the tension thereof.

A retaining member' 170 is provided which is generaliy rectangular in shape and is provided with a central aperture 171 adapted to surround the block 159. In its forward edge the bloclt 159 is tapped to form a seat for a ball 172 and the forward end of the member 170 is tapped to receive the ball 173 at one end of a coil spring 1.74, the other end of which rides upon the ball 172. The other end of the member is provided with a depending detent 175.

in its assembled condition, the assembly just described ,is held within the case 16 by latching the deutent 175 into opening 17o as clearly hown in Figure 6. However, by releasing the detent 175 from the opening 176, and then disengaging the post 151, the entire assembly can be removed from the case it). When the assembly is inserted into the case 1), the arm 77 is first pivoted in a counterclockwise direction against the force of the spring 84, so that upon release the teeth 8i) Will engage with the teeth of the ratchet wheel 145.

The operation of the above-described device is as folA lows. With the hose 4i! connected to a suitable source ot ainmable gas under pressure, preferably acetylene gas, the operator takes the case 1t) in his hand with his fingers engaging the trigger 90. The lingers of the hand then depress the trigger 9() pivoting the same in a counter-clockwise position as shown in Figure 2. The pivoting of the trigger in a counterclockwise position causes the cams 100 to bear against the flange 52 which in turn bears against the plug 45. Continued pivoting ot the trigger thus moves the shaft 53 to the left and unseats the sealing member 5S. Pivoting of the trigger in u counterclocltwise direction also causes the upper end of the trip member in? in engagement with the shoulder 73 to force the slide 73 along the rods 17 and 15 against the 1force of the coil springs t and 12d. when the slide 70 has been depressed a suitable distance, the beveled surface 113 of the trip member 109 engages the bottom edge 75 of the plate 74 causing the free end of the trip member 1%? to disengage from the shoulder 73 and permit a quick return of the lide 7) to its initial position under the force of the coil springs 119 12h. As the rod 77 carried by the slide 7G, this q lt return of the slide 79 causes a quick forward movement of the rod '77 and consequently achieves a quick spinning of the ratchet wheel 145 and the serrated steel disc 146, thus creating a vigorous spark from the flint 155. As the sealing mem# ber 55 has in the meanwhile become unseated, is permitted to enter from the hose itl through the bore 32 into the transverse bore 43 and longitudinal bore 49 and hence into the tube 51. From the tube 51 the gas passes through the opening 62 in the plate Z5 through the bore 137 and into the bore 132 where it is mixed with air from the transverse bore 140 entering through the screens 176 to the region of the disc 146 where it is ignited by a spark from the flint 155, the aming gas then emitting from the iame tube 133.

When the operator releases the trigger 90, the spring 56 forces the collar 54 and the sealing member 55 into sealing position and shuts of the ow of gas throughout the torch. As the slide 70 has previously been returned to its initial position, the trip member 109 re-engages the shoulder 73 and the torch is ready for a subsequent ignition.

While there has been described what at present is considered a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the essence of the invention and it is intended to cover herein all such changes and modiiications that come within the true spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A gas torch comprising: a generally cylindrical casing; means forming an opening in a wall of said casing; a unitary assembly including a lever pivoted in said opening, a gas tube mounted in said casing, valve means operably associated with said gas tube, means connecting said lever and valve means for opening of said valve means on actuation of said lever, spring means opposing actuation of said lever, a slide mounted in said casing, a pawl carried by said slide, means operably connecting sald lever and said slide for movement of said slide on actuation of said lever, spring means biasing said slide in the opposite direction therefrom and means operable upon substantially complete actuation of said lever to disconnect said means connecting said lever and said slide to free said slide for return movement under the force of said last mentioned spring means; said unitary assembly being removable from said casing as a unit; a ratchet wheel mounted in said casing and adapted to be engaged by said pawl; a serrated wheel mounted for rotation with said ratchet wheel and adapted to engage a tiint; and means deiining an air passage for supplying air whereby on actuation of said lever gas in said tube is ignited by sparking of the int.

2. A device as set forth in claim 1 in which said means connecting said lever and valve means comprises a member carried by said lever and having a cam face thereon and a cam follower operatively connected to said valve for opening said valve means on actuation of said lever.

3. A device as set forth in claim 1 1n which said means connecting said lever and valve means comprises a member pivoted upon said lever and having a cam face thereon and a cam follower operatively connected to said valve for opening said valve means on actuation of said lever and adjusting means associated with said member for ad justing said valve means.

4. A device as set forth in claim 1 and including a second unitary assembly which comprises a block, said block being generally rectangular in cross section and substantially narrower in one direction than the diameter of said casing, providing a space between the casing Wall and said block, said ratchet wheel being carried on said block in the space between the casing wall and said block; means forming a gas passage in said block; said ratchet wheel being mounted on said block, said serrated wheel being mounted on said block and within said gas passage, said air passage being formed within said block communieating with said gas passage, and a flint holder mounted in said block, said flint being engageable by said serrated wheel; said second unitary assembly being removable as a unit from said casing independently of said first unitary assembly.

5. A device as set forth in clairn 4 including a connector threaded into said block having a jet communicating with said gas passage whereby said jet may be selectively positioned with respect to said air passage.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,416,098 Larsen May 16, 1922 1,463,518 Thomas July 31, 1923 2,232,893 lfVilson Feb. 25, 1941 2,365,379 Black Dec. 19, 1944 2,394,349 Wilson Feb. 5, 1946 2,477,917 Wilson Aug. 2, 1949 2,506,114- Sparks May 2, 1950 

